Man the artstyle in that game is just beautiful.. *chefs kiss*. Getting a lot of Berserk vibes.. even moreso than Miyazaki's other games. Adding to that, Souls in a massive world with dungeons and more means of traversal so good.. And the boss fights look so immense. February can't come soon enough.

The Thursday news:

SALES /PLAYER COUNT & DEALS

GTA 5 has over 155 million units sold-in, Red Dead Redemption 2 over 39 million units sold-in
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/gta-5-has-over-155-million-units-sold-in-red-dead-redemption-2-over-39-million-units-sold-in/
Take-Two has revealed some new sales details about Grand Theft Auto 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2. According to the company, GTA 5 has over 155 million units sold-in, whereas Red Dead Redemption 2 has over 39 million units sold-in.

Borderlands 3 is 2K Games’ fastest selling game to date
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/borderlands-3-is-2k-games-fastest-selling-game-to-date/
Take-Two has announced that Borderlands 3 has become 2K Games’ fastest selling game to date. According to the company, Borderlands 3 has sold-in nearly 14 million units to date on all platforms.
Additionally, the Borderlands franchise has sold-in over 72 million units worldwide. Not only that, but Borderlands 2 is 2K’s top-selling title with over 25 million units sold-in to date.
(...)
In other news, Take-Two revealed that Sid Meier’s Civilization franchise has sold-in over 59 million units.

The Humble Bundle has a new deal: the Survive or Die Bundle, with up to 7 games to get during the next 13 days: https://www.humblebundle.com/games/survive-or-die.

And Fanatical has launched its Platinum BYOB for November, with 20 games to choose your 3. 5 or 7 games bundle: https://www.fanatical.com/en/pick-and-mix/platinum-collection-build-your-own-bundle

SOFTWARE & DRIVERS

-Empty-

MODS, EMULATORS & FAN PROJECTS

Ashes Afterglow, Total Conversion Mod for Doom, is now available for download
https://www.dsogaming.com/mods/ashes-afterglow-total-conversion-mod-for-doom-is-now-available-for-download/
Vostyok has released the second episode for his Ashes total conversion mod for Doom, Ashes Afterglow. Similarly to the first episode, Ashes Afterglow is designed to be run in the Gzdoom or Qzdoom ports, and includes support for either software or hardware options.
Ashes 2063 TC is heavily inspired by 90’s FPS games, 80’s post-apocalyptic movies, and a shit-ton of other references. The first episode follow the basic framework of Ultimate Doom, and replaces every weapon (up to plasma rifle), adds 8 new monsters, as well as a full custom soundtrack courtesy of PRIMEVAL. You can download the first episode from here.
>> And you can download the second episode from here.

Fans so sick of waiting for Undead Nightmare in Red Dead 2 they made it themselves
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/fans-so-sick-of-waiting-for-undead-nightmare-in-red-dead-2-they-made-it-themselves/
In the annals of great DLC, and from a time when Rockstar still made singleplayer DLC, Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare holds a proud place. This 2010 expansion re-jigged the game's world as a zombie apocalypse story, with John Marston now out to save his wife and son from the virus while liberating towns from the brain-munching hordes. It was simply fantastic and so, ever since Red Dead Redemption 2's release, players have understandably been wondering: please Rockstar, can we have some more?
Unfortunately Red Dead Online's post-launch support has been somewhat more, well, barebones than players may have been hoping. (...)
So: modders have done it for them.
Undead Nightmare II—Origins (was this thing named by Ubisoft?) follows in the line of a plague hitting Red Dead 2's world, and reconfigures certain of the game's towns (currently Armadillo, Blackwater and Coot’s Chapel) to feature zombie hordes and civilians fighting them off (thanks, PCGamesN). The above video shows Arthur and certain armed NPCs running around on the ground while residents hide on the roofs or in certain buildings.

GAMING NEWS

New Halo Infinite video shows 5 minutes from the Oddball MP Mode
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/new-halo-infinite-video-shows-5-minutes-from-the-oddball-mp-mode/
IGN has shared a video, showcasing 5 minutes of brand new gameplay footage from Halo Infinite’s Oddball multiplayer mode. In this mode, the objective is to locate the Skull(s) on the map and to maintain possession of it for the longest period of time possible.

Marvel’s Midnight Suns has been delayed until the second half of 2022
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/marvels-midnight-suns-has-been-delayed-until-the-second-half-of-2022/
2K Games and Firaxis have announced that Marvel’s Midnight Suns has been delayed until the second half of 2022. The game was originally targeting a March 2022 release.

Take-Two has canceled an unannounced game for which it spent $53 million
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/take-two-has-canceled-an-unannounced-game-for-which-it-spent-53-million/
During its latest earnings report, Take-Two revealed that it has canceled an unannounced game for which it had already spent $53 million. Take-Two did not reveal any additional details, but it does make you wonder why the company has decided to pull the plug on this project.
>> Ouch! It was a multiplayer game with superheroes from Hangar 13 (Mafia 3).

Company of Heroes 3 gets an official gameplay overview trailer
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/company-of-heroes-3-gets-an-official-gameplay-overview-trailer/
SEGA and Relic have released a brand new trailer for their upcoming strategy game, Company of Heroes 3. This new trailer details some of the game’s gameplay mechanics, and features some new in-engine footage.

Realistic top-down shooter Thunder Tier One releases on December 7th
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/realistic-top-down-shooter-thunder-tier-one-releases-on-december-7th/
KRAFTON has announced that its top-down shooter, Thunder Tier One, will release on December 7th. In order to celebrate this announcement, the team has also released a new gameplay trailer that you can find below.

Top-down sci-fi action game, Blackwind, releases on January 20th
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/top-down-sci-fi-action-game-blackwind-releases-on-january-20th/
Blowfish Studios and Gamera Game have announced that their top-down sci-fi action game, Blackwind, will release on January 20th. In order to celebrate this announcement, the teams have also released a new gameplay trailer that you can find below.

Dawn of the Monsters is a modern take on SNK’s classic King of the Monsters
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/dawn-of-the-monsters-is-a-modern-take-on-snks-classic-king-of-the-monsters/
WayForward and 13AM Games have revealed a new co-op kaiju beat ‘em up game, Dawn of the Monsters. Dawn of the Monsters appears to be a modern take on SNK’s classic beat ’em up, King of the Monsters.

The Thursday news, part two:

Far Cry 6's premature Danny Trejo tie-in has been removed
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/far-cry-6s-premature-danny-trejo-tie-in-has-been-removed/
This week, Far Cry 6 found itself in the bizarre position of accidentally featuring actor Danny "Machete" Trejo. Fortunately, Ubisoft has swiftly worked to remove all traces of Trejo from the game at this time, with the promise of full, production-ready Trejo to return at a later date.

Ubisoft gears up for its 35th birthday with discounts and freebies
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/ubisoft-gears-up-for-its-35th-birthday-with-discounts-and-freebies/
One of the largest video game publishers on the planet, Ubisoft, was founded in France 35 years ago: on March 28, 1986, to be exact. it seems like someone over at present-day Ubisoft has belatedly realised this as, now that the anniversary has passed, it's announced a bunch of 35th anniversary celebrations.
>> No free games, at least yet, but there's a daily contest to win 100 $/€ to spend on their store.

The Sims 4's new official challenges ask you to become a millionaire or enemies with benefits
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/the-sims-4s-new-official-challenges-ask-you-to-become-a-millionaire-or-enemies-with-benefits/
With the release of yesterday's Scenarios update, The Sims 4 now has official versions of the kind of challenge runs that players have been inventing for years. The first of these Scenarios asks simmers to create fresh families and then chase specific goals. So far, they include raising too many toddlers, making 1,000,000 simoleons, or turning a hated roommate into an "enemy with benefits".

Square Enix calls Marvel's Avengers 'disappointing'
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/square-enix-calls-marvels-avengers-disappointing/
In Square Enix's annual report for 2021, company president and representative director Yosuke Matsuda discussed Marvel's Avengers, calling it "an ambitious title for us in that we took on the GaaS (Games as a Service) model." However, he went on to say, perhaps with some understatement, that "it has unfortunately not proven as successful as we would have liked."

EA calls NFT and blockchain games 'the future of our industry'
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/ea-calls-nft-and-blockchain-games-the-future-of-our-industry/
EA CEO Andrew Wilson called NFT and "play-to-earn" games the "the future of our industry," but added that "it's still early to figure out how that's going to work," when asked about the topic during the company's earnings call this week.
>> So they don't know how to make it work, but it's the future of gaming? Wow, I have no words.

Still in a Dune mood? This new desert survival game has giant sandworms, too
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/still-in-a-dune-mood-this-new-desert-survival-game-has-giant-sandworms-too/
(...)
Well, a Dune survival game is in the works over at Funcom, but you might be able to get your fix a bit sooner by checking out Starsand, an Early Access survival game that's set in a harsh desert environment and is home to giant sandworms. You don't have long to wait if you're interested: Starsand comes out on November 4.

Here's when Call of Duty: Vanguard unlocks
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/call-of-duty-vanguard-release-time-unlock/
Call of Duty: Vanguard is finally less than 24 hours away. Developed by Sledgehammer Games, Vanguard sees the series returning to the World War 2 era. And while you've no doubt preloaded the game in preparation for launch, you might be wondering exactly when you can play.

Total War: Warhammer 3 marches out next February, Ogres and all
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/total-war-warhammer-3-marches-out-next-february-ogres-and-all/
Despite initially planning its invasion for late-2021, Total War: Warhammer 3 today announced its march to war will take place next February 17.
That release date comes alongside the announcement of the Ogre Kingdoms in Total Warhammer 3. Sadly, the big lads aren't included in the base game, but rather as a Race Pack DLC that'll be free for folks who pre-order or purchase the game within the first week of release.

New World patch cracks down on gold sellers and slashes respec costs
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/new-world-patch-cracks-down-on-gold-sellers-and-slashes-respec-costs/
New World has put out an update today, slashing the amount it costs to respec your character and adding new restrictions to clamp down on real money trading.

Here's when Forza Horizon 5 unlocks in your time zone
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/forza-horizon-5-release-time-unlock/
With the Forza Horizon 5 release time drawing near, I hope you've got your bags packed for your next open-road adventure to Mexico. And it looks like you're going to be there a while, too: With enough activities to more than fill up Playground Games' biggest map yet and a huge emphasis on live-service challenges and seasonal objectives, you'll be needing quite a few sets of clean clothes.

Intel Alder Lake processors can't run 32 games, thanks to Denuvo

https://www.pcgamer.com/intel-core-i9-12900k-review-benchmarks-performance/

"Though I am missing one benchmark result for Intel's Core i9 12900K: Assassin's Creed: Valhalla. The reason being it doesn't work on Alder Lake, or at least our system and probably a fair few more. As Intel told me, "We are aware of an issue with Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla, and we are working with the game publisher on a fix." Though this does play into the slightly wobbly aspect of Alder Lake at launch.

Intel said it was yet to remedy an issue with Denuvo on Alder Lake for 32 games, which was causing issues playing these games on the platform, but the remainder of the library was good to go."

Reasons why DRM sucks

That sucks, but it's obvious there was a reason why so many games ditched Denuvo in the last weeks.

I wonder if there's a way to find a list somewhere with those 32 games that don't work with Alder Lake.

There's quite a few, including RE: Village. Here's a list on Steam - https://store.steampowered.com/curator/26095454-Denuvo-Games/

It's not the list I expected, but it will do. Thanks.

By the way, since you said you used to check Hexus/bit-tech, some of the staff has made a new site to keep doing what they like: club386.com

But I'm always nice ... .

I'm not sure if it's a coincidence ir if he's done the video to come with something about AMD in an Intel focused day, but Moore’s Law is Dead has posted some new info about AMD's Zen4D, its own take on the little/efficient cores, and Zen 5.

Take it with a pìnch of salt.

Zen 4 Dense (Zen4D) might be AMD’s answer to Intel Hybrid Technology
https://videocardz.com/newz/zen-4-dense-zen4d-might-be-amds-answer-to-intel-hybrid-technology
According to Moore’s Law is Dead, who is first to share the details on this new type of core, the Zen4D would be a redesigned Zen4 core (a fork) with reduced cache size and decreased frequency for power efficiency. Due to the lower cache, the Zen4D core would be smaller which would allow AMD to put as many as 16 cores in each chiplet, claims MLID in the video.

And here's the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dE9N95uSqHA

Extra, extra! Read all about it. Intel is back baby!

-Pat, can you tell us just how exactly you managed to pull off this unimaginable feat?

--Well, you know us, we did what any logical company would do. We turned everything up to 12.

-OMG! That's brilliant! Now can you tell us more about your commitment to energy efficiency and sustainability?

--Umm... This gen goes to 12!

Nice to see the performance gains, but it's not like the competition can't turn the power dial as well. Baby steps hopefully.

Intel Alder Lake gaming performance: 1110 benchmarks compiled

https://www.reddit.com/r/hardware/comments/qmuymd/intel_alder_lake_gaming_performance_1110/

Unreleased Intel Core i5-12400F CPU could offer Ryzen 5 5600X performance at half the price, shows early review

https://videocardz.com/newz/unreleased-intel-core-i5-12400f-cpu-could-offer-ryzen-5-5600x-performance-at-half-the-price-shows-early-review

Intel continues to put AMD to shame in the budget segment.

AMD: Here is a gimped 5600G that performs worse than a 11400 in CPU tests, costs $50 less than 5600X and you get super gimped to PCI-E 3.0
Intel: Here is a budget chip that performs similar to a 5600X, costs significantly less, gives you DDR5 and PCI-E 5.0.

God of War PC to support both NVIDIA DLSS and AMD FSR

https://videocardz.com/newz/god-of-war-pc-to-support-both-nvidia-dlss-and-amd-fsr

Not that this will need either

Genshin Impact surpasses GTA 5 and Fortnite in terms of first-year revenue: Reports

https://www.sportskeeda.com/esports/news-genshin-impact-surpasses-gta-5-fortnite-terms-first-year-revenue-reports

Weebs have deep pockets